Lit2Quit:A Mobile Game for Smoking Reduction

Using Breathing Techniques8th Annual Games for Change Festival

June 22, 2011

Research Team: Adrienne Garber, Adriel Brown, Azadeh Jamalian, Sungbong Kim, Pazit Levitan, Jessica Mezei, and Dan Rabinowitz

Principal Investigator: Dr. Charles Kinzer

Consultants: Jessica Hammer, Dr. Sandra Okita, Dr. Kathleen O’Connell

Roadmap

• Introduction• The Lit2Quit Game• Rush and Relax Modes• Data Design and

Collection• Gesture Research• Game Objectives• Breath Interface• Conclusion

Introduction

1. Why create a tool for smoking cessation?

2. Why use a mobile platform?

3. Why study gesture-based interfaces and human-computer interaction?

What is Lit2Quit?A mobile game designed in two modes, RUSH and RELAX, that utilizes an innovative breath-control interface that might be useful as a replacement therapy for cigarette smokers who want to reduce smoking habits.   

 

Rush Mode: Perceived Stimulant• 2D “Space Shooter” style

game play (without the shooting)

• 4-way tilt controls• Asset-management

mechanic based on collecting gas in order to make stars

• Use of “Breath of Fire” to escape black holes

• Fast Paced, Defensive, Energetic

Energetic Gameplay

PerceivedStimulant (Donovan & Marlatt, 2007)

Relax Mode: Perceived Sedative• 2D vertical • 2-way horizontal tilt

controls• Asset-management

mechanic based on collecting dust into a swarm that is sent to sky

• Use of calm breath for vertical navigation

SoothingGameplay

PerceivedSedative

(Donovan & Marlatt, 2007)

Data Design and Collection 

1. 3 Phases of Testing2. Physiological measurements

including EEG, EKG and skin conductance

3. Participants’ pre- and post-game play surveys

4. Self Assessment Manikin (SAM) scale

5. Interview transcripts6. Video observation notes for

gesture research7. Game Evaluation

questionnaire

Gesture Research

• Grip

• Tilt

• Tap

Rush Mode: Game Objective

Particles of colored gas are collected to make stars.

Spaceship with collector scoop and trailing star canister that collects stars.

Obstacles such as asteroids cause damage to the spaceship and canister.

Rush Mode: Breath Interface

The Black Hole

The Black Hole appears. Breath fills hole with blue energy. Ship zooms forward!

Your SPARK before it is released into the atmosphere to collect specks of stardust.

The color of stardustyou are asked to collect for your mission.

Example: Here, the mission is to collect 12 lime-green colored specks of stardust.

Relax Mode: Game Objective

Relax Mode: Game Objective

Example: This Collector required lime-green colored stardust for the mission.

The COLLECTOR retrieves you and your Spark at the end of the game. It collects the stardust that it asked you to bring it and indicates whether your mission was successful.

(1) Empty sparkWhen the Spark is empty it needs you EXHALE

(2) Growing SparkWhen you exhale theSpark grows to the capacity of your exhale. Aim to fill the Spark’s outline with yellow energy at minimum.

(3) Resting SparkWhen your exhale isFinished, the Spark turnsgrey and shrinks back toempty state, you mustinhale during this time.

exhale

hold exhaleexhale end

inhale

shrinks

Relax Mode: Breath Interface

Moving the Spark

Conclusion 

1. Close to 100 study participants involved in the final

phase of game testing.

2. Collecting both quantitative and qualitative data to

support hypothesis that innovative breath-control

interfaces might be useful as a replacement therapy for

cigarette smokers who want to reduce smoking habits.

3. Preliminary results indicate that game-play may be

able to mimic the perceived stimulating and relaxing

effects of smoking, final results to be analyzed by

August 2011.

Contact Information1. Twitter Account: Games4Research

2. Facebook Group Page: Lit2Quit A Mobile Game for Smoking Reduction

3. WordPress Website: http://lit2quit.wordpress.com/

4. Email Address: litthegame@gmail.com

5. Teachers College student researchers: Adriel Brown, Adrienne Garber, Azadeh Jamalian, Sungbong Kim, Pazit Levitan, Jessica Mezei, Dan Rabinowitz

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